finding does not support the suggestion by Hartley (1967) that low tissue selenium levels are an essential pre-requisite for WMD.

Mean liver selenium. concentrations of 0.19 ppm from lambs with WMD are similar to levels reported from other countries. Cousins and Cairney (1961) in New Zealand reported mean selenium values of 0.18 pprn for liver from 16 affected lambs from 8 districts. Allaway et al (1966) in North America suggested that 0.21 ppm of selenium in the liver was near the critical level for 6-week-old lambs. Burton et d (1962), however, also in North America reported liver selenium levels of 0.31 ppm in new born lambs with WMD. An extensive review of tissue selenium levels associated with various selenium responsive conditions in New Zealand was made by Hartley (1967). However, all levels were expressed as ppm wet weight and cannot be compared with the data from WA.

Andrews et a1 (1964) suggested that body weight responses to selenium occurred when liver selenium levels fell below 0.12 ppm. Hartley (1967) and Andrews et al (1968) also reported that tissue selenium levels from sheep suffering from selenium-responsive illthrift were much lower than levels associated with WMD. Such extremely low selenium levels are not commonly

recorded in WA perhaps explaining why worth- while body weight responses have not been recorded in WA (Gardiner et a1 1962; Gabbedy 1971).

References

Allaway, W. H., Moore, D. P., Oldfield, J. E. and

Andrews, E. D., Hartley, W. J. and Grant, A. B . (1968)

Andrews, E. D., Grant, A. B. and Stephenson, B. J.

Burton, V., Keeler, R. F., Swingle, K. F. and Young,

Cousins, F. B. and Cairney, I. M. (1961)-Aust. J .

Gabbedy, B. J. (1971)-Aust. vet. J . 47: 318. Gardiner, M. R. (1962)-Ausr. vet. J . 3 8 387. Gardiner, M. R. (1969)--0utl. agric. 6 19. Gardiner, M. R., Armstrong, J., Fels, H. and Glencross, R. N. (1962)-Aust. J . exp. Agric. Anim. Husb. 2 261.

Gardiner, M . R. and Gorman, R. C. (1963)-Aust. 1. exp. Agric. Anim. Husb. 3: 284.

Hartley, W. J. (1967)-"Selenium in Biomedicine". The AVI Publishing Co., Westport, Conn. U.S.A. Chap. 5.

Setchell, B. P., Harris, A. N. A., Farleigh, E. A. and Clark, F. L. (1962)-Aust. vet. 1. 38: 62.

Walker. D. J.. Harris. A. N. A.. Farleiah. E. A.,

Muth, 0. H. (1966)-J. Nutr. 8 8 411.

-N.Z. vet. J . 16: 3 .

(1964)-iV.Z. I . agric. Res. 7 : 17.

S. (1962)-Am. J . vet. Res. 23: 962.

agric. Res. 12: 927.

Setchell, B. P. and Litlejohns, I.' R. (lki)--Aust: vet. I . 37: 172.

Watkinson, J. H. (1966)-Anal. Chem. 38: 92.

(Received for publication 1 July 1975)

BOOK' REVIEW FIRST STEPS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE

This book* was written for those people interested in or associated with Veterinary Science, particularly technical assistants and agricultural students. It pro- vides an introduction to the various aspects of Veterin- ary Science.

It is divided into an introduction, 6 sections, glossary and index. The 6 sections are: anatomy and physio- logy, animal behaviour, animal production, the relation- ship between health and disease, methods used in treating animals, and emergency treatment and handling of animals. Each section is subdivided and uses diagrams to explain points of interest. The glossary provides definitions for most technical terms used in the book. The index is adequate.

One can appreciate the difficulties encountered by the author in writing a book designed to cover most

First Steps in Veterinary Science. Kenneth Aspinall. Balliere, London. 1976. Pp 213. $2.95 stg.

aspects of veterinary science, and at a level. to com- municate with the non-veterinarian. However, some disappointing features must be pointed out. In most sections, the author in attempting to simplify explana- tions of terms and methods often misleads or confuses e.g. in the glossary, page 194, the definition of acetabulum. 'Joint between the pelvis and femur on the hind leg.' Unfortunately the level at which informa- tion is given to the reader varies; for instance, extensive coverage is given to antibiotics, used in veterinary practice, whereas the methods of diagnosis of disease are treated in a superficial, misleading manner.

The author has drawn on his own experiences to illustrate and explain particular aspects of Veterinary Science, consequently a heavy emphasis is placed on the large animal, especially cattle. Readers primarily involved with the small animal will be disappointed.

P. Canfield

484 Australian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 53, October, 1977